Welcome to Part 5 of my top 100 pound for pound boxers of all-time series. Today, boxers #70-61 will be revealed. At this point, there aren’t many surprises left (perhaps a couple here and there but no more than that). The vast majority of men remaining on this list would be included on just about anyone’s top 100. It’s now mostly a matter of deciding where they belong in the hierarchy of all-time greats. You may or may not agree with my conclusions but I look forward to the discussion and debate.
#70) Pascual Perez
Pascual Perez is considered to be one of the greatest Flyweights of all time. He captured Olympic Gold at the 1948 games in London. Perez turned professional four years later in December 1952. He was an excellent power puncher, somewhat unusual for the Flyweight division. Perez built an impressive record of 23-0-1 (22 KOs), prior to challenging Yoshio Shirai for the Flyweight title in November 1954.
He defeated Shirai by a 15 round unanimous decision, becoming the first World champion to hail from Argentina. Over the next 5 ½ years, Perez defended successfully 9 times (6 by stoppage), in addition to winning numerous non-title bouts before losing the title to Pone Kingpetch by split decision in April of 1960.
Over an 11+ year career, Pascual Perez compiled an impressive record of 84-7-1 (57 Kos). All 7 losses occurred after Perez’ 32nd birthday. He never faced or defeated a fellow boxing hall of famer which is one reason why he doesn’t appear higher on this list. However, his impressive title reign and overall excellence do warrant a place on the top 100 list.
#69) Carmen Basilio
Carmen Basilio was a World Champion in two separate weight classes. He captured the World Welterweight championship in June 1955 with a 12th round TKO victory over Tony DeMarco. After defending successfully against DeMarco (TKO 12), Basilio lost the title to Johnny Saxton in March 1956 by unanimous decision. He regained it that September with a 9th round TKO victory over Saxton and destroyed him within 2 rounds in a rubber match February 1957.
In September 1957, he scored a shocking upset over Sugar Ray Robinson to capture the Middleweight title. Robinson turned the tables six months later, in March 1958, defeating Basilio by split decision. Over the next three years, Basilio would challenge 3 times for the Middleweight title, losing all three, twice to Gene Fullmer (TKO 14, TKO 12) and Paul Pender (L15). The losses to Fullmer represent the only stoppage losses of his 79 bout career.
Over a career that lasted from 1948 to 1961, Basilio amassed a record of 56-16-7 (27 KOs). In addition to DeMarco, Saxton and Robinson, Basilio also held victories over Lew Jenkins, Ike Williams, and Billy Graham. Basilio was a multiple division champion in the 8 original division era and definitely belongs on this list.
#68) Aaron Pryor
Pryor turned professional in November 1976. By August of 1980, he’d racked up 24 consecutive victories (22 Kos). Unable to secure a chance at the Lightweight title, Pryor challenged all-time great Jr. Welterweight champion, Antonio Cervantes in August 1980.
He blew the aging Cervantes out in 4 rounds and defended the title with an iron fist over the next two years, stopping all five challengers in an aggregate total of 33 rounds. Pryor’s finest moment occurred when he faced the legendary Alexis Arguello in November 1982. In a modern classic, Pryor and Arguello warred over 14 brutal rounds before Pryor registered a stoppage. He defeated Arguello again in September 1983, this time stopping him in 10 rounds.
Pryor’s two wins over Arguello vaulted him into boxing stardom. However, his career and life were derailed soon afterward by drug abuse. Pryor’s low point came when Pryor he stopped in 7 rounds by Bobby Joe Young in August 1987, his only career loss.
Overall, Pryor’s record was 39-1 (35 Kos) and he defended the WBA/IBF Jr. Welterweight championship 10 times. Aside from Cervantes and Arguello, who were both considerably past their prime, the rest of his opposition isn’t particularly noteworthy. Nonetheless, Pryor accomplished enough to warrant inclusion on this list.
#67) Ricardo Lopez
Over a 16+ year career, Lopez was undefeated, with a record of 51-0-1 (38 Kos). He captured the WBC Strawweight championship in October 1990 with a 5th round TKO victory over Hideyuki Ohashi and reigned for over 8 years, defending 21 times successfully, and capturing the WBA and WBO versions of the title along the way. The only blemish on his result was an 8 round technical draw against Rosendo Alvarez, in March 1998, which he avenged 8 months later.
Lopez then moved up to Jr. Flyweight and captured the IBF version of the title with a unanimous decision victory over Will Grigsby. He defended successfully twice before retiring. Lopez had an incredible record of 25-0-1 (19 Kos) in World championship fights. Some may question the logic of including Lopez but excluding Khaosai Galaxy, also a dominant champion from a little known weight class, from the list. I feel the distinctions are: 1) Lopez had a longer title reign and faced slightly tougher competition defeating 9 men who held World Championships, compared to 7 for Galaxy. 2) He moved up and captured a title at a higher weight class. Thus, Ricardo Lopez makes the top 100 list.
#66) Johnny Dundee
Johnny Dundee was a champion in two divisions. In over 300 bouts, over a 22 year career, his record was 200-74-45 (17 KOs). Dundee captured the Jr. Lightweight title in November 1921 with a 5th round disqualification victory over George “KO” Chaney and defended three times before losing by decision to Jack Bernstein in May 1923. He later added the World Featherweight championship to his resume with a decision victory over Eugene Criqui in July 1923. He regained the Jr. Lightweight title with a rematch victory over Bernstein in December 1923. He lost the Jr. Lightweight title in June 1924 by decision to Steve Kid Sullivan in June 1924 and vacated the Featherweight title two months later.
Dundee’s significant opponents included: Chaney (won 5), Frankie Britt (won), Jimmy Goodrich (won), Criqui (won), Mexican Joe Rivers (won), Willie Ritchie (won and drew), Rocky Kansas (won and lost), Charley White (won three, lost three, drew), Bernstein (won and lost), Benny Leonard (won two, lost four, drew two), Johnny Kilbane (lost and drew), Freddie Welsh (lost), Sammy Mandell (lost), Tod Morgan (lost), Tony Canzoneri (lost), Charley Phil Rosenberg (lost), and Lew Tendler (lost three). Dundee title reigns may have been brief when compared to other all-time greats. That said, his longevity and performance against quality opposition warrant his inclusion on this list.
#65) Freddie Steele
Steele is another old-timer I didn’t think much about prior to starting this series. He’s one of the fighters from a somewhat forgotten Middleweight era of the 1930’s, sandwiched between the glory days of Harry Greb and Mickey Walker in the 1920’s and the heyday of the likes of Tony Zale, Jake Lamotta, Rocky Graziano and Marcel Cerdan in the 1940’s. Over a 14+ year career, Steele had an amazing record of 123-5-11 (58 KOs). He was recognized as a Middleweight champion for two years from July 1936 to July 1938, defending successfully five times.
Among his significant opponents were: Ceferino Garcia (won twice), Fred Apostoli (won and lost), Vince Dundee (won), Gorilla Jones (won twice and drew), Babe Risko (won three), Gus Lesnevich (won), Ken Overlin (won), Solly Krieger (won) and, Al Hostak (lost). In the end, Steele was 4-1-1 against fellow boxing hall of famers. Not the greatest Middleweight of all-time by any stretch. However, his outstanding record and quality of opposition demand a spot on this list. Freddie Steele was a better fighter than I thought.
#64) Lou Ambers
Lou Ambers was a two time Lightweight Champion of the World. Ambers captured the title for the first time defeating Tony Canzoneri by 15 round decision in September 1936. Ambers defended twice before losing the title almost two years later, in August 1938, by split decision to Henry Armstrong. He regained the title just over a year later, winning a controversial decision over Armstrong in August 1939. However, in his first defense in May 1940, Ambers was destroyed by Lew Jenkins in three rounds.
Over a 9 year career, lasting from 1932 to 1941, Ambers’ professional record was 91-8-7 (28 Kos). His significant opponents included: Cocoa Kid (won), Fritzie Zivic (won), Frankie Klick (won), Baby Arizmendi (won), Tony Canzoneri (won twice, lost once), Pedro Montanez (won once, lost once), Henry Armstrong (won once, lost once), Jimmy McLarnin (lost), and Lew Jenkins (lost twice). This may be a bit picky but Ambers does not rank higher on my list because, although, he won the Lightweight title twice, he didn’t have a long period of dominance. However, his opposition was absolutely top notch and he more than held his own against the all-time greats of his generation. Thus, there is no doubt that he belongs.
#63) Freddie Welsh
Freddie Welsh was also an all-time great and a pioneer in the Lightweight Division. He was an outstanding defensive specialist who was stopped only once in over 160 bouts. In a career that lasted from 1905-1922, he compiled a record of 121-29-17 (34 Kos).
Welsh captured the Lightweight Title with a 20 round decision victory over Willie Ritchie in July 1914. He defended 6 times losing the title to Benny Leonard by 9th round TKO in May 1918. Among his significant opponents were: Ad Wolgast (won three), Matt Wells (won), Johnny Dundee (won), Mexican Joe Rivers (won), Battling Nelson (won), Abe Attell (won), Jim Driscoll (won, no decision), Charley White (won three, lost once), Willie Ritchie (won twice, lost once), Matty Baldwin (won twice and lost twice), Lockport Jimmy Duffy (won and lost twice), Benny Leonard (won once, lost twice), Packey McFarland (lost and drew twice), Rocky Kansas (lost), Johnny Kilbane (lost).
Welsh faced the iron of his era and performed more than respectably with 3 wins over men who appear on this top 100 list. He more than belongs on the list himself.
62) Wilfredo Gomez
Gomez was a three division World Champion. He captured the WBA Jr. Featherweight championship in May 1977 with a 12th round knockout victory over Dong-Kyun Yum. He went on to hold that title for close to 6 years, defending 16 times, including a convincing 5th round stoppage in October 1978 over all-time great Bantamweight, Carlos Zarate. In August 1981, he challenged WBC Featherweight champion Salvador Sanchez in August 1981.
The dynamo that was Sanchez stopped the heavily favored Gomez by 8th round TKO. In March 1984, Gomez captured the WBC Featherweight championship with a 12 round decision victory over Juan Laporte. However, he lost his first defense in December, when he was knocked out by Azumah Nelson in the 11th round. In May 1985, Gomez won the WBA Jr. Lightweight championship with a 15 round decision victory over Rocky Lockridge. However, again, he lost the title in his first defense, in May 1986, by 9th round stoppage to Alfredo Layne.
Gomez finished his record with a record of 44-3-1 (42 KOs). He was only 1-2 versus fellow hall of famers, which is why he does not appear higher of this list. However, his dominance at 122, success at higher weights, and victory over Zarate, do mandate a prominent place on this list.
#61) Johnny Kilbane
Johnny Kilbane is another guy from boxing’s past that I didn’t think would be included on my list at the beginning of this process. I don’t see him listed on many of the top p4p series I’ve seen. However, in the end, any man in the era of the original 8 divisions who reigned for 11 years has to be included in my view. Over a 16 year career, lasting from 1907 to 1923, Kilbane compiled a career record of 110-16-15 (24 KOs).
He won the Featherweight championship in February 1912 with a 20 round decision victory over fellow All-time great Abe Attell. He held the title for over a decade before losing it in June 1923 by a 9th round TKO to Eugene Criqui.
Kilbane’s significant opponents include: Attell (won and lost), Mexican Joe Rivers (won and lost), Charley White (won), Frankie Burns (won twice), Johnny Dundee (won and drew), Rocky Kansas (won and lost), Kid Williams (won), Benny Leonard (won and lost), George (KO) Chaney (won), Freddie Welsh (won), Criqui (lost). In my view, this outstanding resume warrant a place on the top 100 boxers of all-time list.
This concludes Part 5 of my top 100 pound for pound boxers of all-time series. Next, boxers #60-51 will be revealed as we near the halfway mark. As always, I look forward to your comments and feedback. Links to the previous installments of this series are attached for your convenience.
http://mythicalboxing.weebly.com/part-4-top-100-pound-for-pound-boxers-of-all-time-80-71
http://mythicalboxing.weebly.com/part-3-top-100-boxers-of-all-time-90-81
http://mythicalboxing.weebly.com/part-2-top-100-pound-for-pound-boxers-of-all-time-100-91
http://mythicalboxing.weebly.com/part-1-top-10-controversial-omissions
http://mythicalboxing.weebly.com/introduction
#70) Pascual Perez
Pascual Perez is considered to be one of the greatest Flyweights of all time. He captured Olympic Gold at the 1948 games in London. Perez turned professional four years later in December 1952. He was an excellent power puncher, somewhat unusual for the Flyweight division. Perez built an impressive record of 23-0-1 (22 KOs), prior to challenging Yoshio Shirai for the Flyweight title in November 1954.
He defeated Shirai by a 15 round unanimous decision, becoming the first World champion to hail from Argentina. Over the next 5 ½ years, Perez defended successfully 9 times (6 by stoppage), in addition to winning numerous non-title bouts before losing the title to Pone Kingpetch by split decision in April of 1960.
Over an 11+ year career, Pascual Perez compiled an impressive record of 84-7-1 (57 Kos). All 7 losses occurred after Perez’ 32nd birthday. He never faced or defeated a fellow boxing hall of famer which is one reason why he doesn’t appear higher on this list. However, his impressive title reign and overall excellence do warrant a place on the top 100 list.
#69) Carmen Basilio
Carmen Basilio was a World Champion in two separate weight classes. He captured the World Welterweight championship in June 1955 with a 12th round TKO victory over Tony DeMarco. After defending successfully against DeMarco (TKO 12), Basilio lost the title to Johnny Saxton in March 1956 by unanimous decision. He regained it that September with a 9th round TKO victory over Saxton and destroyed him within 2 rounds in a rubber match February 1957.
In September 1957, he scored a shocking upset over Sugar Ray Robinson to capture the Middleweight title. Robinson turned the tables six months later, in March 1958, defeating Basilio by split decision. Over the next three years, Basilio would challenge 3 times for the Middleweight title, losing all three, twice to Gene Fullmer (TKO 14, TKO 12) and Paul Pender (L15). The losses to Fullmer represent the only stoppage losses of his 79 bout career.
Over a career that lasted from 1948 to 1961, Basilio amassed a record of 56-16-7 (27 KOs). In addition to DeMarco, Saxton and Robinson, Basilio also held victories over Lew Jenkins, Ike Williams, and Billy Graham. Basilio was a multiple division champion in the 8 original division era and definitely belongs on this list.
#68) Aaron Pryor
Pryor turned professional in November 1976. By August of 1980, he’d racked up 24 consecutive victories (22 Kos). Unable to secure a chance at the Lightweight title, Pryor challenged all-time great Jr. Welterweight champion, Antonio Cervantes in August 1980.
He blew the aging Cervantes out in 4 rounds and defended the title with an iron fist over the next two years, stopping all five challengers in an aggregate total of 33 rounds. Pryor’s finest moment occurred when he faced the legendary Alexis Arguello in November 1982. In a modern classic, Pryor and Arguello warred over 14 brutal rounds before Pryor registered a stoppage. He defeated Arguello again in September 1983, this time stopping him in 10 rounds.
Pryor’s two wins over Arguello vaulted him into boxing stardom. However, his career and life were derailed soon afterward by drug abuse. Pryor’s low point came when Pryor he stopped in 7 rounds by Bobby Joe Young in August 1987, his only career loss.
Overall, Pryor’s record was 39-1 (35 Kos) and he defended the WBA/IBF Jr. Welterweight championship 10 times. Aside from Cervantes and Arguello, who were both considerably past their prime, the rest of his opposition isn’t particularly noteworthy. Nonetheless, Pryor accomplished enough to warrant inclusion on this list.
#67) Ricardo Lopez
Over a 16+ year career, Lopez was undefeated, with a record of 51-0-1 (38 Kos). He captured the WBC Strawweight championship in October 1990 with a 5th round TKO victory over Hideyuki Ohashi and reigned for over 8 years, defending 21 times successfully, and capturing the WBA and WBO versions of the title along the way. The only blemish on his result was an 8 round technical draw against Rosendo Alvarez, in March 1998, which he avenged 8 months later.
Lopez then moved up to Jr. Flyweight and captured the IBF version of the title with a unanimous decision victory over Will Grigsby. He defended successfully twice before retiring. Lopez had an incredible record of 25-0-1 (19 Kos) in World championship fights. Some may question the logic of including Lopez but excluding Khaosai Galaxy, also a dominant champion from a little known weight class, from the list. I feel the distinctions are: 1) Lopez had a longer title reign and faced slightly tougher competition defeating 9 men who held World Championships, compared to 7 for Galaxy. 2) He moved up and captured a title at a higher weight class. Thus, Ricardo Lopez makes the top 100 list.
#66) Johnny Dundee
Johnny Dundee was a champion in two divisions. In over 300 bouts, over a 22 year career, his record was 200-74-45 (17 KOs). Dundee captured the Jr. Lightweight title in November 1921 with a 5th round disqualification victory over George “KO” Chaney and defended three times before losing by decision to Jack Bernstein in May 1923. He later added the World Featherweight championship to his resume with a decision victory over Eugene Criqui in July 1923. He regained the Jr. Lightweight title with a rematch victory over Bernstein in December 1923. He lost the Jr. Lightweight title in June 1924 by decision to Steve Kid Sullivan in June 1924 and vacated the Featherweight title two months later.
Dundee’s significant opponents included: Chaney (won 5), Frankie Britt (won), Jimmy Goodrich (won), Criqui (won), Mexican Joe Rivers (won), Willie Ritchie (won and drew), Rocky Kansas (won and lost), Charley White (won three, lost three, drew), Bernstein (won and lost), Benny Leonard (won two, lost four, drew two), Johnny Kilbane (lost and drew), Freddie Welsh (lost), Sammy Mandell (lost), Tod Morgan (lost), Tony Canzoneri (lost), Charley Phil Rosenberg (lost), and Lew Tendler (lost three). Dundee title reigns may have been brief when compared to other all-time greats. That said, his longevity and performance against quality opposition warrant his inclusion on this list.
#65) Freddie Steele
Steele is another old-timer I didn’t think much about prior to starting this series. He’s one of the fighters from a somewhat forgotten Middleweight era of the 1930’s, sandwiched between the glory days of Harry Greb and Mickey Walker in the 1920’s and the heyday of the likes of Tony Zale, Jake Lamotta, Rocky Graziano and Marcel Cerdan in the 1940’s. Over a 14+ year career, Steele had an amazing record of 123-5-11 (58 KOs). He was recognized as a Middleweight champion for two years from July 1936 to July 1938, defending successfully five times.
Among his significant opponents were: Ceferino Garcia (won twice), Fred Apostoli (won and lost), Vince Dundee (won), Gorilla Jones (won twice and drew), Babe Risko (won three), Gus Lesnevich (won), Ken Overlin (won), Solly Krieger (won) and, Al Hostak (lost). In the end, Steele was 4-1-1 against fellow boxing hall of famers. Not the greatest Middleweight of all-time by any stretch. However, his outstanding record and quality of opposition demand a spot on this list. Freddie Steele was a better fighter than I thought.
#64) Lou Ambers
Lou Ambers was a two time Lightweight Champion of the World. Ambers captured the title for the first time defeating Tony Canzoneri by 15 round decision in September 1936. Ambers defended twice before losing the title almost two years later, in August 1938, by split decision to Henry Armstrong. He regained the title just over a year later, winning a controversial decision over Armstrong in August 1939. However, in his first defense in May 1940, Ambers was destroyed by Lew Jenkins in three rounds.
Over a 9 year career, lasting from 1932 to 1941, Ambers’ professional record was 91-8-7 (28 Kos). His significant opponents included: Cocoa Kid (won), Fritzie Zivic (won), Frankie Klick (won), Baby Arizmendi (won), Tony Canzoneri (won twice, lost once), Pedro Montanez (won once, lost once), Henry Armstrong (won once, lost once), Jimmy McLarnin (lost), and Lew Jenkins (lost twice). This may be a bit picky but Ambers does not rank higher on my list because, although, he won the Lightweight title twice, he didn’t have a long period of dominance. However, his opposition was absolutely top notch and he more than held his own against the all-time greats of his generation. Thus, there is no doubt that he belongs.
#63) Freddie Welsh
Freddie Welsh was also an all-time great and a pioneer in the Lightweight Division. He was an outstanding defensive specialist who was stopped only once in over 160 bouts. In a career that lasted from 1905-1922, he compiled a record of 121-29-17 (34 Kos).
Welsh captured the Lightweight Title with a 20 round decision victory over Willie Ritchie in July 1914. He defended 6 times losing the title to Benny Leonard by 9th round TKO in May 1918. Among his significant opponents were: Ad Wolgast (won three), Matt Wells (won), Johnny Dundee (won), Mexican Joe Rivers (won), Battling Nelson (won), Abe Attell (won), Jim Driscoll (won, no decision), Charley White (won three, lost once), Willie Ritchie (won twice, lost once), Matty Baldwin (won twice and lost twice), Lockport Jimmy Duffy (won and lost twice), Benny Leonard (won once, lost twice), Packey McFarland (lost and drew twice), Rocky Kansas (lost), Johnny Kilbane (lost).
Welsh faced the iron of his era and performed more than respectably with 3 wins over men who appear on this top 100 list. He more than belongs on the list himself.
62) Wilfredo Gomez
Gomez was a three division World Champion. He captured the WBA Jr. Featherweight championship in May 1977 with a 12th round knockout victory over Dong-Kyun Yum. He went on to hold that title for close to 6 years, defending 16 times, including a convincing 5th round stoppage in October 1978 over all-time great Bantamweight, Carlos Zarate. In August 1981, he challenged WBC Featherweight champion Salvador Sanchez in August 1981.
The dynamo that was Sanchez stopped the heavily favored Gomez by 8th round TKO. In March 1984, Gomez captured the WBC Featherweight championship with a 12 round decision victory over Juan Laporte. However, he lost his first defense in December, when he was knocked out by Azumah Nelson in the 11th round. In May 1985, Gomez won the WBA Jr. Lightweight championship with a 15 round decision victory over Rocky Lockridge. However, again, he lost the title in his first defense, in May 1986, by 9th round stoppage to Alfredo Layne.
Gomez finished his record with a record of 44-3-1 (42 KOs). He was only 1-2 versus fellow hall of famers, which is why he does not appear higher of this list. However, his dominance at 122, success at higher weights, and victory over Zarate, do mandate a prominent place on this list.
#61) Johnny Kilbane
Johnny Kilbane is another guy from boxing’s past that I didn’t think would be included on my list at the beginning of this process. I don’t see him listed on many of the top p4p series I’ve seen. However, in the end, any man in the era of the original 8 divisions who reigned for 11 years has to be included in my view. Over a 16 year career, lasting from 1907 to 1923, Kilbane compiled a career record of 110-16-15 (24 KOs).
He won the Featherweight championship in February 1912 with a 20 round decision victory over fellow All-time great Abe Attell. He held the title for over a decade before losing it in June 1923 by a 9th round TKO to Eugene Criqui.
Kilbane’s significant opponents include: Attell (won and lost), Mexican Joe Rivers (won and lost), Charley White (won), Frankie Burns (won twice), Johnny Dundee (won and drew), Rocky Kansas (won and lost), Kid Williams (won), Benny Leonard (won and lost), George (KO) Chaney (won), Freddie Welsh (won), Criqui (lost). In my view, this outstanding resume warrant a place on the top 100 boxers of all-time list.
This concludes Part 5 of my top 100 pound for pound boxers of all-time series. Next, boxers #60-51 will be revealed as we near the halfway mark. As always, I look forward to your comments and feedback. Links to the previous installments of this series are attached for your convenience.
http://mythicalboxing.weebly.com/part-4-top-100-pound-for-pound-boxers-of-all-time-80-71
http://mythicalboxing.weebly.com/part-3-top-100-boxers-of-all-time-90-81
http://mythicalboxing.weebly.com/part-2-top-100-pound-for-pound-boxers-of-all-time-100-91
http://mythicalboxing.weebly.com/part-1-top-10-controversial-omissions
http://mythicalboxing.weebly.com/introduction